Electronic device

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates to an electronic device, and the electronic device may include a circuit board provided within a main body of the electronic device, on which a conductive layer made of a conductive material and a dielectric layer made of an insulating material are alternately laminated; at least one or more patch antennas disposed on the circuit board; a core layer located at a central portion inside the circuit board, and configured with any one of the dielectric layers; a ground layer disposed below the core layer; and an EBG structure located inside the circuit board in a symmetrical shape at the top and bottom with respect to the core layer, and the EBG structure restricts operating frequency signals radiated from the respective patch antennas from being interfered with each other.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/141,841, filed on Sep. 25, 2018, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,660,198, whichclaims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/564,222, filedon Sep. 27, 2017, and also claims the benefit of earlier filing date andright of priority to Korean Application No. 10-2018-0020712, filed onFeb. 21, 2018, the contents of which are all incorporated by referenceherein their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates to an electronic device including acircuit board mounted with an EBG structure.

2. Description of the Related Art

Electronic devices may be implemented in the form of a multimedia devicehaving a combination of functions such as capturing still or movingimages, playing music or video files, gaming, and receiving broadcastand the like using various electronic components provided in a main bodythereof.

Furthermore, in recent years, as the multimedia function of such anelectronic device is expanded, an antenna capable of transmitting andreceiving radio signals in various frequency bands is included therein.The antenna is connected to a wireless communication unit to transmitand receive a signal at a specific frequency under the control of thewireless communication unit.

The antenna is mounted on a circuit board to perform the role oftransmitting and receiving wireless signals. The circuit board isgenerally manufactured using a PCB (Printed Circuit Board) board. Thecircuit board has a structure in which a conductive layer made of aconductive material and a dielectric layer made of an insulatingmaterial are alternately laminated. In addition, when an antenna ismounted inside the circuit board, it may be possible to secure asufficient antenna performance while having a compact structure.

However, in order to secure the radiation performance of the antenna bypositioning the antenna inside the circuit board, it is required toremove a conductive material from an area inside the circuit board thatoverlaps with a portion at which the antenna is positioned. The circuitboard having such a structure may be deformed by an externally appliedpressure or impact or high temperature, and there is a problem thatwrinkle or sinking deformation may occur at a portion where theconductive material is removed.

Accordingly, schemes for modifying the structure of a circuit boardcomposed of a plurality of layers to restrict deformation due to anexternally applied physical force while allowing a patch antenna toensure sufficient radiation performance at an operating frequency, andreducing damages that occur during manufacture or use may be required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present disclosure is to solve the foregoing problemsand other problems, and provide a structure of an electronic devicecapable of ensuring sufficient antenna performance at operatingfrequency as well as preventing deterioration in quality of a patchantenna applied to a circuit board composed of a plurality of layers.

Furthermore, another object of the present disclosure is to provide astructure of an electronic device capable of performing physicalreinforcement of a circuit board mounted with a patch antenna andrestricting signal interference between a plurality of patch antennas.In order to accomplish the foregoing objectives of the presentdisclosure, an electronic device according to the present disclosure mayinclude a circuit board provided within a main body of the electronicdevice, on which a conductive layer made of a conductive material and adielectric layer made of an insulating material are alternatelylaminated; at least one or more patch antennas disposed on the circuitboard; a core layer located at a central portion inside the circuitboard, and configured with any one of the dielectric layers; a groundlayer disposed below the core layer; and an EBG structure located insidethe circuit board in a symmetrical shape at the top and bottom withrespect to the core layer, and the EBG structure restricts operatingfrequency signals radiated from the respective patch antennas from beinginterfered with each other.

Here, dielectric layers laminated on the circuit board may be formed ofthe same dielectric material.

Furthermore, the EBG structure may include a first EBG structuredisposed adjacent to an outer portion of the patch antenna and a secondEBG structure spaced apart from the first EBG structure by apredetermined distance, and disposed at a circumferential portion of thecircuit board. Here, the first EBG structure and the second EBGstructure may be located inside the circuit board.

The first EBG structure may include a first conductive plate disposedbelow the core layer with respect to the core layer; and a via extendedin a vertical direction to connect the first conductive plate and theground layer.

The second EBG structure may include a second conductive plate formed ofa conductive material, and the second conductive plate may besymmetrically located on upper and lower sides with respect to the corelayer inside the circuit board.

The electronic device having the above structure may include a first EBGstructure and a second EBG structure, thereby preventing operatingfrequency signals from interfering with each other between adjacentpatch antennas as well as allowing efficient signal transmission andreception.

In addition, the first EBG structure and the second EBG structure may bearranged symmetrically with respect to a core layer inside the circuitboard to increase a copper foil residual rate on a conductive layerwhere the EBG structure is positioned so as to enhance rigidity, therebyminimizing deformation due to high pressure or temperature applied tothe circuit board.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention andtogether with the description serve to explain the principles of theinvention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1A is a block diagram for explaining an electronic device accordingto the present disclosure;

FIG. 1B is a perspective view illustrating a shape of a front portion ofthe electronic device;

FIG. 1C is a perspective view illustrating a shape of a rear portion ofthe electronic device;

FIG. 2 illustrates a shape of a circuit board included in the electronicdevice;

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view in which the circuit board of FIG. 2is taken along line A-A′;

FIG. 3B is an enlarged view illustrating a shape in which a first EBGstructure and a second EBG structure are located inside the circuitboard;

FIG. 4A is a view illustrating a shape in which the first EBG structureis disposed between patch antennas;

FIG. 4B is a conceptual view illustrating an internal structure of thefirst EBG structure;

FIG. 5A is a view illustrating various deformable embodiments of a patchantenna disposed on a circuit board;

FIG. 5B is a view illustrating an arrangement relationship between apatch antenna and a feeding member;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view in which a circuit board according to thepresent disclosure is seen from the outside;

FIG. 7 is a conceptual view in which the circuit board is projected fromabove;

FIG. 8A is a graph illustrating a radiation performance of theelectronic device according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 8B is a graph illustrating a radiation performance of a gain valueof a patch antenna according to frequency when the circuit boardaccording to the present disclosure is included;

FIGS. 9A and 9B are graphs illustrating a degree of isolation between aplurality of patch antennas arranged in a transverse direction andresultant values thereof;

FIGS. 10A and 10B are graphs and resultant values illustrating a degreeof isolation between a plurality of patch antennas arranged in alongitudinal direction;

FIG. 11A is a graph illustrating a radiation pattern of a plurality ofpatch antennas when the patch antennas are arranged in a longitudinaldirection; and

FIG. 11B is a graph illustrating a radiation pattern of a plurality ofpatch antennas when the patch antennas are arranged in a traversedirection.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will bedescribed in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, and thesame or similar elements are designated with the same numeral referencesregardless of the numerals in the drawings and their redundantdescription will be omitted. A suffix “module” or “unit” used forconstituent elements disclosed in the following description is merelyintended for easy description of the specification, and the suffixitself does not give any special meaning or function. In describing thepresent disclosure, if a detailed explanation for a related knownfunction or construction is considered to unnecessarily divert the gistof the present disclosure, such explanation has been omitted but wouldbe understood by those skilled in the art. The accompanying drawings areused to help easily understand the technical idea of the presentdisclosure and it should be understood that the idea of the presentdisclosure is not limited by the accompanying drawings.

It will be understood that although the terms first, second, etc. may beused herein to describe various elements, these elements should not belimited by these terms. These terms are generally only used todistinguish one element from another.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being“connected with” another element, the element can be directly connectedwith the other element or intervening elements may also be present. Onthe contrary, in case where an element is “directly connected” or“directly linked” to another element, it should be understood that anyother element is not existed therebetween.

A singular representation may include a plural representation as far asit represents a definitely different meaning from the context.

Terms “include” or “has” used herein should be understood that they areintended to indicate the existence of a feature, a number, a step, aconstituent element, a component or a combination thereof disclosed inthe specification, and it may also be understood that the existence oradditional possibility of one or more other features, numbers, steps,constituent elements, components or combinations thereof are notexcluded in advance.

Electronic devices described herein may include cellular phones, smartphones, laptop computers, digital broadcasting terminals, personaldigital assistants (PDAs), portable multimedia players (PMPs),navigators, slate PCs, tablet PCs, ultrabooks, wearable devices (forexample, smart watches, smart glasses, head mounted displays (HMDs)),and the like.

However, it may be easily understood by those skilled in the art thatthe configuration according to the exemplary embodiments of thisspecification can also be applied to stationary terminals such asdigital TV, desktop computers, digital signages, and the like, excludinga case of being applicable only to the mobile terminals.

FIG. 1A is a block diagram for explaining an electronic device 100associated with the present disclosure.

The electronic device 100 may include a wireless communication unit 110,an input unit 120, a sensing unit 140, an output unit 150, an interfaceunit 160, a memory 170, a controller 180, a power supply unit 190, andthe like. FIG. 1 illustrates the electronic device 100 having variouscomponents, but it may be understood that implementing all of theillustrated components is not a requirement. Greater or fewer componentsmay alternatively be implemented.

In more detail, the wireless communication unit 110 of those componentsmay typically include one or more modules which permit wirelesscommunications between the electronic device 100 and a wirelesscommunication system, between the electronic device 100 and anothermobile terminal, or between the electronic device 100 and an externalserver. In addition, the wireless communication unit 110 may include oneor more modules for connecting the electronic device 100 to one or morenetworks.

The wireless communication unit 110 may include at least one of abroadcast receiving module 111, a mobile communication module 112, awireless Internet module 113, a short-range communication module 114, alocation information module 115 and the like. The input unit 120 mayinclude a camera 121 for inputting an image signal, a microphone 122 oran audio input module for inputting an audio signal, or a user inputunit 123 (for example, a touch key, a push key (or a mechanical key),etc.) for allowing a user to input information. Audio data or image datacollected by the input unit 120 may be analyzed and processed by auser's control command.

The sensing unit 140 is typically implemented using one or more sensorsconfigured to sense internal information of the electronic device, thesurrounding environment of the electronic device 100, user information,and the like. For example, the sensing unit 140 may include a proximitysensor 141, an illumination sensor 142, a touch sensor, an accelerationsensor, a magnetic sensor, a G-sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a motionsensor, an RGB sensor, an infrared (IR) sensor, a finger scan sensor, aultrasonic sensor, an optical sensor (for example, refer to the camera121), a microphone 122, a battery gage, an environment sensor (forexample, a barometer, a hygrometer, a thermometer, a radiation detectionsensor, a thermal sensor, a gas sensor, etc.), and a chemical sensor(for example, an electronic nose, a health care sensor, a biometricsensor, etc.). The electronic device may be configured to utilizeinformation obtained from sensing unit 140, and in particular,information obtained from one or more sensors of the sensing unit 140,and combinations thereof.

The output unit 150 may be configured to output an audio signal, a videosignal or a tactile signal. The output unit 150 may include a displayunit 151, an audio output module 152, a haptic module 153, an opticaloutput unit 154 and the like. The display unit 151 may have aninter-layered structure or an integrated structure with a touch sensorin order to facilitate a touch screen. The touch screen may provide anoutput interface between the electronic device 100 and a user, as wellas functioning as the user input unit 123 which provides an inputinterface between the electronic device 100 and the user.

The interface unit 160 serves as an interface with various types ofexternal devices that can be coupled to the electronic device 100. Theinterface unit 160, for example, may include wired or wireless headsetports, external power supply ports, wired or wireless data ports, memorycard ports, ports for connecting a device having an identificationmodule, audio input/output (I/O) ports, video I/O ports, earphone ports,or the like. The electronic device 100 may execute an appropriatecontrol related to a connected external device, in response to theexternal device being connected to the interface unit 160.

In addition, the memory 170 stores data supporting various functions ofthe electronic device 100. The memory 170 is typically implemented tostore data to support various functions or features of the electronicdevice 100. For instance, the memory 170 may be configured to storeapplication programs executed in the electronic device 100, data orinstructions for operations of the electronic device 100, and the like.At least some of those application programs may be downloaded from anexternal server via wireless communication. Some others of thoseapplication programs may be installed within the electronic device 100at the time of being shipped for basic functions of the electronicdevice 100 (for example, receiving a call, placing a call, receiving amessage, sending a message, etc.). On the other hand, the applicationprograms may be stored in the memory 170, installed in the electronicdevice 100, and executed by the controller 180 to perform an operation(or a function) of the electronic device 100.

The controller 180 may typically control an overall operation of theelectronic device 100 in addition to the operations related to theapplication programs. The controller 180 may provide or processinformation or functions appropriate for a user in a manner ofprocessing signals, data, information and the like, which are input oroutput by the aforementioned components, or activating the applicationprograms stored in the memory 170.

Furthermore, the controller 180 may control at least part of thecomponents illustrated in FIG. 1A, in order to drive the applicationprograms stored in the memory 170. In addition, the controller 180 maydrive the application programs by combining at least two of thecomponents included in the electronic device 100 for operation.

The power supply unit 190 may receive external power or internal powerand supply appropriate power required for operating respective elementsand components included in the electronic device 100 under the controlof the controller 180. The power supply unit 190 may include a battery,and the battery may be an embedded battery or a replaceable battery.

At least part of those elements and components may be combined toimplement operation and control of the electronic device or a controlmethod of the electronic device according to various exemplaryembodiments described herein. Furthermore, the operation and control orthe control method of the electronic device may be implemented on theelectronic device in such a manner of activating at least oneapplication program stored in the memory 170.

Hereinafter, each aforementioned component will be described in moredetail with reference to FIG. 1, prior to explaining various exemplaryembodiments implemented by the electronic device 100 having theconfiguration.

First, the wireless communication unit 110 will be described. Thebroadcast receiving module 111 of the wireless communication unit 110may receive a broadcast signal and/or broadcast associated informationfrom an external broadcast managing entity via a broadcast channel. Thebroadcast channel may include a satellite channel and/or a terrestrialchannel. At least two broadcast receiving modules 111 may be provided inthe electronic device 100 to simultaneously receive at least twobroadcast channels or switch the broadcast channels.

The mobile communication module 112 may transmit/receive wirelesssignals to/from at least one of network entities, for example, a basestation, an external terminal, a server, and the like, on a mobilecommunication network, which is constructed according to technicalstandards or transmission methods for mobile communications (forexample, Global System for Mobile communication (GSM), Code DivisionMulti Access (CDMA), Code Division Multi Access 2000 (CDMA2000),Enhanced Voice-Data Optimized or Enhanced Voice-Data Only (EV-DO),Wideband CDMA (WCDMA), High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), HighSpeed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA), Long Term Evolution (LTE), Long TermEvolution-Advanced (LTE-A), etc.)

Here, the wireless signals may include audio call signal, video(telephony) call signal, or various formats of data according totransmission/reception of text/multimedia messages.

The wireless Internet module 113 refers to a module for supportingwireless Internet access, and may be built-in or externally installed onthe electronic device 100. The wireless Internet module 113 may transmitand/or receive wireless signals via communication networks according towireless Internet technologies.

Examples of such wireless Internet access may include Wireless LAN(WLAN), Wireless-Fidelity (Wi-Fi), Wireless Fidelity Direct (Wi-FiDirect), Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA), Wireless Broadband(WiBro), World Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), High SpeedDownlink Packet Access (HSDPA), High Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA),LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE-A (Long Term Evolution-Advanced), and thelike. The wireless Internet module 113 may transmit/receive dataaccording to at least one wireless Internet technology within a rangeincluding even Internet technologies which are not aforementioned.

From the perspective that the wireless Internet accesses according toWibro, HSDPA, GSM, CDMA, WCDMA, LTE, LTE-A and the like are executed viaa mobile communication network, the wireless Internet module 113 whichperforms the wireless Internet access via the mobile communicationnetwork may be understood as a type of the mobile communication module112.

The short-range communication module 114 denotes a module forshort-range communications. Suitable technologies for implementing theshort-range communications may include BLUETOOTH™, Radio FrequencyIDentification (RFID), Infrared Data Association (IrDA), Ultra-WideBand(UWB), ZigBee, Near Field Communication (NFC), Wireless-Fidelity(Wi-Fi), Wi-Fi Direct, and the like. The short-range communicationmodule 114 may support wireless communications between the electronicdevice 100 and a wireless communication system, between the electronicdevice 100 and another mobile terminal, or between the electronic device100 and a network where another mobile terminal (or an external server)is located, via a wireless personal area network. The short-rangecommunication module 114 denotes a module for short-rangecommunications.

Here, the another mobile terminal may be a wearable device, for example,a smart watch, smart glasses or a head mounted display (HMD), which isable to exchange data with the electronic device 100 (or to like datawith the electronic device 100). The short-range communication module114 may sense (recognize) a wearable device, which is able tocommunicate with the electronic device), near the electronic device 100.In addition, when the sensed wearable device is a device which isauthenticated to communicate with the electronic device 100 according tothe present disclosure, the controller 180 may transmit at least part ofdata processed in the electronic device 100 to the wearable device viathe short-range communication module 114. Hence a user of the wearabledevice may use the data processed in the electronic device 100 on thewearable device. For example, when a call is received in the electronicdevice 100, the user may answer the call using the wearable device.Also, when a message is received in the electronic device 100, the usercan check the received message using the wearable device.

The location information module 115 is generally configured to detect,calculate, derive or otherwise identify a position of the electronicdevice. As an example, the location information module 115 includes aGlobal Position System (GPS) module, a Wi-Fi module, or both. Forexample, when the electronic device uses the GPS module, a position ofthe electronic device may be acquired using a signal sent from a GPSsatellite. As another example, when the electronic device uses the Wi-Fimodule, a position of the electronic device may be acquired based oninformation related to a wireless access point (AP) which transmits orreceives a wireless signal to or from the Wi-Fi module. According to theneed, the location information module 115 may perform any function ofthe other modules of the wireless communication unit 110 to obtain dataon the location of the electronic device. As a module used to acquirethe location (or current location) of the electronic device, thelocation information module 115 may not be necessarily limited to amodule for directly calculating or acquiring the location of theelectronic device.

The input unit 120 may be configured to provide an audio or video signal(or information) input to the electronic device or information input bya user to the electronic device. For the input of the audio information,the electronic device 100 may include one or a plurality of cameras 121.The camera 121 processes a image frame, such as still picture or video,obtained by an image sensor in a video phone call or image capturingmode. The processed image frames may be displayed on the display unit151. On the other hand, the plurality of cameras 121 disposed in theelectronic device 100 may be arranged in a matrix configuration. By useof the cameras 121 having the matrix configuration, a plurality of imageinformation having various angles or focal points may be input into theelectronic device 100. As another example, the cameras 121 may belocated in a stereoscopic arrangement to acquire left and right imagesfor implementing a stereoscopic image.

The microphone 122 may process an external audio signal into electricaudio data. The processed audio data may be utilized in various mannersaccording to a function being executed in the electronic device 100 (oran application program being executed). On the other hand, themicrophone 122 may include assorted noise removing algorithms to removenoise generated in the course of receiving the external audio signal.

The user input unit 123 may receive information input by a user. Wheninformation is input through the user input unit 123, the controller 180may control an operation of the electronic device 100 to correspond tothe input information. The user input unit 123 may include a mechanicalinput element (or a mechanical key, for example, a button, a domeswitch, a jog wheel, a jog switch or the like located on a front/rearsurface or a side surface of the electronic device 100), and atouch-sensitive input element. As one example, the touch-sensitive inputmay be a virtual key or a soft key, which is displayed on a touch screenthrough software processing, or a touch key which is located on themobile terminal at a location that is other than the touch screen. Onthe other hand, the virtual key or the visual key may be displayed onthe touch screen in various shapes, for example, graphic, text, icon,video, or a combination thereof.

On the other hand, the sensing unit 140 may sense at least one ofinternal information of the electronic device, surrounding environmentinformation of the electronic device and user information, and generatea sensing signal corresponding to it. The controller 180 may control anoperation of the electronic device 100 or execute data processing, afunction or an operation related to an application program installed inthe electronic device based on the sensing signal. Hereinafter,description will be given in more detail of representative sensors ofvarious sensors which may be included in the sensing unit 140.

First, a proximity sensor 141 refers to a sensor to sense presence orabsence of an object approaching to a surface to be sensed, or an objectdisposed near a surface to be sensed, by using an electromagnetic fieldor infrared rays without a mechanical contact. The proximity sensor 141may be arranged at an inner region of the electronic device covered bythe touch screen, or near the touch screen.

The proximity sensor 141, for example, may include any of a transmissivetype photoelectric sensor, a direct reflective type photoelectricsensor, a mirror reflective type photoelectric sensor, a high-frequencyoscillation proximity sensor, a capacitance type proximity sensor, amagnetic type proximity sensor, an infrared rays proximity sensor, andthe like. When the touch screen is implemented as a capacitance type,the proximity sensor 141 may sense proximity of a pointer to the touchscreen by changes of an electromagnetic field, which is responsive to anapproach of an object with conductivity. In this case, the touch screen(touch sensor) may also be categorized as a proximity sensor.

On the other hand, for the sake of brief explanation, a behavior inwhich the pointer is positioned to be proximate onto the touch screenwithout contact will be referred to as “proximity touch,” whereas abehavior in which the pointer substantially comes into contact with thetouch screen will be referred to as “contact touch.” For the positioncorresponding to the proximity touch of the pointer on the touch screen,such position will correspond to a position where the pointer facesperpendicular to the touch screen upon the proximity touch of thepointer. The proximity sensor 141 may sense proximity touch, andproximity touch patterns (e.g., distance, direction, speed, time,position, moving status, etc.). On the other hand, the controller 180may process data (or information) corresponding to the proximity touchesand the proximity touch patterns sensed by the proximity sensor 141, andoutput visual information corresponding to the process data on the touchscreen. In addition, the controller 180 may control the electronicdevice 100 to execute different operations or process different data (orinformation) according to whether a touch with respect to the same pointon the touch screen is either a proximity touch or a contact touch.

A touch sensor can sense a touch applied to the touch screen, such asdisplay unit 151, using any of a variety of touch methods. Examples ofsuch touch methods include a resistive type, a capacitive type, aninfrared type, and a magnetic field type, among others.

As one example, the touch sensor may be configured to convert changes ofpressure applied to a specific part of the display unit 151 or acapacitance occurring from a specific part of the display unit 151, intoelectric input signals. Also, the touch sensor may be configured tosense not only a touched position and a touched area, but also touchpressure. Here, the touch object body may be a finger, a touch pen orstylus pen, a pointer, or the like as an object through which a touch isapplied to the touch sensor.

When a touch input is sensed by a touch sensor, corresponding signalsmay be transmitted to a touch controller. The touch controller mayprocess the received signals, and then transmit corresponding data tothe controller 180. Accordingly, the controller 180 may sense whichregion of the display unit 151 has been touched. Here, the touchcontroller may be a component separate from the controller 180 or thecontroller 180 itself.

On the other hand, the controller 180 may execute a different control orthe same control according to a type of an object which touches thetouch screen (or a touch key provided in addition to the touch screen).Whether to execute the different control or the same control accordingto the object which gives a touch input may be decided based on acurrent operating state of the electronic device 100 or a currentlyexecuted application program.

Meanwhile, the touch sensor and the proximity sensor may be executedindividually or in combination, to sense various types of touches, suchas a short (or tap) touch, a long touch, a multi-touch, a drag touch, aflick touch, a pinch-in touch, a pinch-out touch, a swype touch, ahovering touch, and the like.

An ultrasonic sensor may be configured to recognize position informationrelating to a sensing object by using ultrasonic waves. The controller180 may calculate a position of a wave generation source based oninformation sensed by an illumination sensor and a plurality ofultrasonic sensors. Since light is much faster than ultrasonic waves, atime for which the light reaches the optical sensor may be much shorterthan a time for which the ultrasonic wave reaches the ultrasonic sensor.The position of the wave generation source may be calculated using thisfact. For instance, the position of the wave generation source may becalculated using the time difference from the time that the ultrasonicwave reaches the sensor based on the light as a reference signal.

The camera 121 constructing the input unit 120 may be a type of camerasensor. The camera sensor may include at least one of a photo sensor (orimage sensor) and a laser sensor.

Implementing the camera 121 with a laser sensor may allow detection of atouch of a physical object with respect to a 3D stereoscopic image. Thecamera 121 and the laser sensor may be combined to detect a touch of thesensing object with respect to a 3D stereoscopic image. Morespecifically, the photo sensor is integrated with photo diodes andtransistors in the rows and columns thereof, and a content placed on thephoto sensor may be scanned by using an electrical signal that ischanged according to the amount of light applied to the photo diode.Namely, the photo sensor may calculate the coordinates of the sensingobject according to variation of light to thus obtain positioninformation of the sensing object. The display unit 151 may display(output) information processed in the electronic device 100. Forexample, the display unit 151 may display execution screen informationof an application program driven in the electronic device 100 or userinterface (UI) and graphic user interface (GUI) information in responseto the execution screen information.

Furthermore, the display unit 151 may also be implemented as astereoscopic display unit for displaying stereoscopic images.

The stereoscopic display unit may employ a stereoscopic display schemesuch as stereoscopic scheme (a glass scheme), an auto-stereoscopicscheme (glassless scheme), a projection scheme (holographic scheme), orthe like.

The audio output module 152 is generally configured to output audiodata. Such audio data may be obtained from any of a number of differentsources, such that the audio data may be received from the wirelesscommunication unit 110 or may have been stored in the memory 170. Also,the audio output unit 152 may also provide audible output signalsrelated to a particular function (e.g., a call signal reception sound, amessage reception sound, etc.) performed by the electronic device 100.The audio output module 152 may include a receiver, a speaker, a buzzeror the like.

A haptic module 153 may generate various tactile effects the that usermay feel. A typical example of the tactile effect generated by thehaptic module 153 may be vibration. Strength, pattern and the like ofthe vibration generated by the haptic module 153 may be controllable bya user selection or setting of the controller. For example, the hapticmodule 153 may output different vibrations in a combining manner or asequential manner.

Besides vibration, the haptic module 153 may generate various othertactile effects, including an effect by stimulation such as a pinarrangement vertically moving with respect to a contact skin, a sprayforce or suction force of air through a jet orifice or a suctionopening, a touch on the skin, a contact of an electrode, electrostaticforce, etc., an effect by reproducing the sense of cold and warmth usingan element that can absorb or generate heat, and the like. The hapticmodule 153 may be configured to transmit tactile effects through auser's direct contact, or a user's muscular sense using a finger or ahand. The haptic module 153 may be implemented in two or more in numberaccording to the configuration of the electronic device 100.

An optical output module 154 may output a signal for indicating an eventgeneration using light of a light source. Examples of events generatedin the electronic device 100 may include a message reception, a callsignal reception, a missed call, an alarm, a schedule notice, an emailreception, an information reception through an application, and thelike.

A signal output by the optical output module 154 may be implemented insuch a manner that the electronic device emits monochromatic light orlight with a plurality of colors. The signal output may be terminated asthe electronic device senses that a user has checked the generatedevent, for example.

The interface unit 160 serves as an interface for external devices to beconnected with the electronic device 100. The interface unit 160 mayallow a data reception from an external device, a power delivery to eachcomponent in the electronic device 100, or a data transmission from theelectronic device 100 to an external device. The interface unit 160 mayinclude wired or wireless headset ports, external power supply ports,wired or wireless data ports, memory card ports, ports for connecting adevice having an identification module, audio input/output (I/O) ports,video I/O ports, earphone ports, or the like.

On the other hand, the identification module may be configured as a chipfor storing various information required to authenticate an authority touse the electronic device 100, which may include a User Identity Module(UIM), a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM), and the like. In addition,the device having the identification module (also referred to herein asan “identification device”) may take the form of a smart card.Accordingly, the identifying device may be connected with the electronicdevice 100 via the interface unit 160.

The interface unit 160 may serve as a path for power to be supplied froman external cradle to the electronic device 100 when the electronicdevice 100 is connected to the external cradle or as a path fortransferring various command signals inputted from the cradle by a userto the electronic device 100. Such various command signals or powerinputted from the cradle may operate as signals for recognizing that theelectronic device 100 has accurately been mounted to the cradle.

The memory 170 can store programs to support operations of thecontroller 180 and store input/output data (for example, phonebook,messages, still images, videos, etc.). The memory 170 may store dataassociated with various patterns of vibrations and audio which areoutput in response to touch inputs on the touch screen.

The memory 170 may include at least one type of storage medium includinga Flash memory, a hard disk, a multimedia card micro type, a card-typememory (e.g., SD or DX memory, etc.), a Random Access Memory (RAM), aStatic Random Access Memory (SRAM), a Read-Only Memory (ROM), anElectrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), aProgrammable Read-Only memory (PROM), a magnetic memory, a magneticdisk, and an optical disk. Also, the electronic device 100 may operatein association with a web storage which performs the storage function ofthe memory 170 on the Internet.

As aforementioned, the controller 180 may typically control the generaloperations of the electronic device 100. For example, the controller 180may set or release a locked state a lock state for restricting a userfrom inputting a control command with respect to applications when astate of the electronic device meets a preset condition.

Furthermore, the controller 180 may also perform controlling andprocessing associated with voice calls, data communications, videocalls, and the like, or perform pattern recognition processing torecognize a handwriting input or a picture drawing input performed onthe touch screen as characters or images, respectively. In addition, thecontroller 180 may control one or combination of those components inorder to implement various exemplary embodiment disclosed herein on theelectronic device 100.

The power supply unit 190 may receive external power or internal powerand supply appropriate power required for operating respective elementsand components included in the electronic device 100 under the controlof the controller 180. The power supply unit 190 may include a battery,which is typically rechargeable or be detachably coupled to the terminalbody for charging.

Furthermore, the power supply unit 190 may include a connection port.The connection port may be configured as one example of the interfaceunit 160 to which an external (re)charger for supplying power torecharge the battery is electrically connected.

As another example, the power supply unit 190 may be configured torecharge the battery in a wireless manner without use of the connectionport. Here, the power supply unit 190 may receive power, transferredfrom an external wireless power transmitter, using at least one of aninductive coupling method which is based on magnetic induction or amagnetic resonance coupling method which is based on electromagneticresonance.

Various embodiments described herein may be implemented in acomputer-readable or its similar medium using, for example, software,hardware, or any combination thereof.

Hereinafter, a structure of an electronic device 100 according to anembodiment of the present disclosure or the terminal in which theabove-described components are disposed will be described with referenceto FIGS. 1B and 1C. However, the mobile terminal described below showingan example of an electronic device according to the present disclosureis taken as one example for the sake of convenience of explanation.

Referring now to FIGS. 1B and 1C, the electronic device 100 is describedwith reference to a bar-type terminal body. However, the presentdisclosure may not be necessarily limited to this, and may be alsoapplicable to various structures such as a watch type, a clip type, aglasses type, a folder type in which two or more bodies are coupled toeach other in a relatively movable manner, a slide type, a swing type, aswivel type, and the like. The following description in association witha specific type of mobile terminal, but the mobile terminal is merely anexample of the electronic device according to the present disclosure,and the description of a specific type of mobile terminal will be alsoapplied to another type of mobile terminal.

Here, the terminal body may be understood as a conception whichindicates the electronic device 100 as at least one assembly.

The electronic device 100 may include a case (for example, a frame, ahousing, a cover, etc.) constituting the appearance thereof. Asillustrated in the drawing, the electronic device 100 may include afront case 101 and a rear case 102. Various electronic components may beincorporated into a space formed between the front case 101 and the rearcase 102. At least one middle case may be additionally disposed betweenthe front case 101 and the rear case 102

A display unit 151 may be disposed on a front surface of the terminalbody to output information. As illustrated, a window 151 a of thedisplay unit 151 may be mounted to the front case 101 so as to form thefront surface of the terminal body together with the front case 101.

In some cases, electronic components may also be mounted to the rearcase 102. Examples of those electronic components mounted to the rearcase 102 may include a detachable battery, an identification module, amemory card and the like. Here, a rear cover 103 for covering theelectronic components mounted may be detachably coupled to the rear case102. Therefore, when the rear cover 103 is detached from the rear case102, the electronic components mounted to the rear case 102 may beexternally exposed.

As illustrated, when the rear cover 103 is coupled to the rear case 102,a side surface of the rear case 102 may be partially exposed. In somecases, upon the coupling, the rear case 102 may also be completelyshielded by the rear cover 300. In some embodiments, the rear cover 103may include an opening for externally exposing a camera 121 b or anaudio output module 152 b.

The cases 101, 102, 103 may be formed by injection-molding syntheticresin or may be formed of a metal, for example, stainless steel (STS),aluminum (Al), titanium (Ti), or the like.

Unlike the example which the plurality of cases form an inner space foraccommodating such various components, the electronic device 100 may beconfigured such that one case forms the inner space. In this example,the electronic device 100 having a uni-body formed in such a manner thatsynthetic resin or metal extends from a side surface to a rear surfacemay also be implemented.

On the other hand, the electronic device 100 may include a waterproofingunit (not shown) for preventing an introduction of water into theterminal body. For example, the waterproofing unit may include awaterproofing member which is located between the window 151 a and thefront case 101, between the front case 101 and the rear case 102, orbetween the rear case 102 and the rear cover 103, to hermetically sealan inner space when those cases are coupled.

The electronic device 100 may include a display unit 151, first andsecond audio output modules 152 a and 152 b, a proximity sensor 141, anillumination sensor 152, an optical output module 154, first and secondcameras 121 a and 121 b, first and second manipulation units 123 a and123 b, a microphone 122, an interface unit 160 and the like.

Hereinafter, description will be given of an exemplary electronic device100 that the display unit 151, the first audio output module 152 a, theproximity sensor 141, the illumination sensor 142, the optical outputmodule 154, the first camera 121 a and the first manipulation unit 123 aare disposed on the front surface of the terminal body, the secondmanipulation unit 123 b, the microphone 122 and the interface unit 160are disposed on a side surface of the terminal body, and the secondaudio output module 152 b and the second camera 121 b are disposed on arear surface of the terminal body, with reference to FIGS. 1B and 1C.

However, the foregoing configuration may not be necessarily limited tothe arrangement. The foregoing configuration may be excluded,substituted or disposed on another surface if necessary. For example,the first manipulation unit 123 a may not be disposed on the frontsurface of the terminal body, and the second audio output module 152 bmay be disposed on the side surface other than the rear surface of theterminal body.

The display unit 151 may display (output) information processed in theelectronic device 100. For example, the display unit 151 may displayexecution screen information of an application program driven in theelectronic device 100 or user interface (UI) and graphic user interface(GUI) information in response to the execution screen information.

The display unit 151 may include at least one of a liquid crystaldisplay (LCD), a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD),an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a flexible display, a3-dimensional (3D) display, and an e-ink display.

The display unit 151 may be implemented in two or more in numberaccording to a configured aspect of the electronic device 100. Forinstance, a plurality of the display units 151 may be arranged on onesurface to be spaced apart from or integrated with each other, or may bearranged on different surfaces.

The display unit 151 may include a touch sensor which senses a touchonto the display unit so as to receive a control command in a touchingmanner. When a touch is input to the display unit 151, the touch sensormay be configured to sense this touch and the controller 180 maygenerate a control command corresponding to the touch. The content whichis input in the touching manner may be a text or numerical value, or amenu item which can be indicated or designated in various modes.

The touch sensor may be configured in a form of a film having a touchpattern, disposed between the window 151 a and a display on a rearsurface of the window 151 a, or a metal wire which is patterned directlyon the rear surface of the window 151 a. Alternatively, the touch sensormay be integrally formed with the display. For example, the touch sensormay be disposed on a substrate of the display or within the display.

In this manner, the display unit 151 may form a flexible touch screenalong with the touch sensor, and in this case, the touch screen mayfunction as the user input unit 123 (refer to FIG. 1A). Therefore, thetouch screen may replace at least some of the functions of the firstmanipulation unit 123 a. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation,the display unit (display module) for outputting the image and the touchsensor are collectively referred to as a touch screen 151.

The first audio output module 152 a may be implemented in the form of areceiver for transferring voice sounds to the user's ear or a loudspeaker for outputting various alarm sounds or multimedia reproductionsounds.

The window 151 a of the display unit 151 may include a sound hole foremitting sounds generated from the first audio output module 152 a.Here, the present disclosure may not be limited to this. It may also beconfigured such that the sounds are released along an assembly gapbetween the structural bodies (for example, a gap between the window 151a and the front case 101). In this case, a hole independently formed tooutput audio sounds may not be seen or hidden in terms of appearance,thereby further simplifying the appearance of the electronic device 100.

The optical output module 154 may output light for indicating an eventgeneration. Examples of the event generated in the electronic device 100may include a message reception, a call signal reception, a missed call,an alarm, a schedule notice, an email reception, information receptionthrough an application, and the like. When a user's event check issensed, the controller 180 may control the optical output unit 154 toend the output of light.

The first camera 121 a may process video frames such as still or movingimages obtained by the image sensor in a video call mode or a capturemode. The processed video frames may be displayed on the display unit151 or stored in the memory 170.

The first and second manipulation units 123 a and 123 b are examples ofthe user input unit 123, which may be manipulated by a user to input acommand for controlling the operation of the electronic device 100. Thefirst and second manipulation units 123 a and 123 b may employ anymethod if it is a tactile manner allowing the user to performmanipulation with a tactile feeling such as touch, push, scroll or thelike. In addition, the first and second manipulation units 123 a and 123b may also employ a method of allowing the user to perform manipulationwithout a tactile feeling through a proximity touch, a hovering touch,or the like.

The drawings are illustrated on the basis that the first manipulationunit 123 a is a touch key, but the present disclosure may not benecessarily limited to this. For example, the first manipulation unit123 a may be configured with a mechanical key, or a combination of atouch key and a push key.

The content received by the first and second manipulation units 123 aand 123 b may be set in various ways. For example, the firstmanipulation unit 123 a may be used by the user to input a command suchas menu, home key, cancel, search, or the like, and the secondmanipulation unit 123 b may be used by the user to input a command, suchas controlling a volume level being output from the first or secondaudio output module 152 a or 152 b, switching into a touch recognitionmode of the display unit 151, or the like.

On the other hand, as another example of the user input unit 123, a rearinput unit (not shown) may be disposed on the rear surface of theterminal body. The rear input unit may be manipulated by a user to inputa command for controlling an operation of the electronic device 100. Thecontent input may be set in various ways. For example, the rear inputunit may be used by the user to input a command, such as power on/off,start, end, scroll or the like, controlling a volume level being outputfrom the first or second audio output module 152 a or 152 b, switchinginto a touch recognition mode of the display unit 151, or the like. Therear input unit may be implemented into a form allowing a touch input, apush input or a combination thereof.

The rear input unit may be disposed to overlap with the display unit 151of the front surface in a thickness direction of the terminal body. Asone example, the rear input unit may be disposed on an upper end portionof the rear surface of the terminal body such that a user can easilymanipulate it using a forefinger when the user grabs the terminal bodywith one hand. However, the present disclosure may not be limited tothis, and the position of the rear input unit may be changeable.

When the rear input unit is disposed on the rear surface of the terminalbody, a new user interface may be implemented using the rear input unit.Also, the aforementioned touch screen or the rear input unit maysubstitute for at least part of functions of the first manipulation unit123 a located on the front surface of the terminal body. Accordingly,when the first manipulation unit 123 a is not disposed on the frontsurface of the terminal body, the display unit 151 may be implemented tohave a larger screen.

On the other hand, the electronic device 100 may include a fingerprintrecognition sensor for recognizing a user's fingerprint, and thecontroller 180 may use fingerprint information sensed through the fingerrecognition sensor as an authentication means. The finger scan sensormay be installed in the display unit 151 or the user input unit 123.

The microphone 122 may be formed to receive the user's voice, othersounds, and the like. The microphone 122 may be provided at a pluralityof places, and configured to receive stereo sounds.

The interface unit 160 may serve as a path allowing the electronicdevice 100 to exchange data with external devices. For example, theinterface unit 160 may be at least one of a connection terminal forconnecting to another device (for example, an earphone, an externalspeaker, or the like), a port for near field communication (for example,an Infrared Data Association (IrDA) port, a Bluetooth port, a wirelessLAN port, and the like), or a power supply terminal for supplying powerto the electronic device 100. The interface unit 160 may be implementedin the form of a socket for accommodating an external card, such asSubscriber Identification Module (SIM), User Identity Module (UIM), or amemory card for information storage.

The second camera 121 b may be further mounted to the rear surface ofthe terminal body. The second camera 121 b may have an image capturingdirection, which is substantially opposite to the direction of the firstcamera unit 121 a.

The second camera 121 b may include a plurality of lenses arranged alongat least one line. The plurality of lenses may also be arranged in amatrix configuration. The cameras may be referred to as an ‘arraycamera.’ When the second camera 121 b is implemented as the arraycamera, images may be captured in various manners using the plurality oflenses and images with better qualities may be obtained.

A flash 124 may be disposed adjacent to the second camera 121 b. When animage of a subject is captured with the camera 121 b, the flash 124 mayilluminate the subject.

The second audio output module 152 b may further be disposed on theterminal body. The second audio output module 152 b may implementstereophonic sound functions in conjunction with the first audio outputmodule 152 a, and may be also used for implementing a speaker phone modefor call communication.

At least one antenna for wireless communication may be disposed on theterminal body. The antenna may be installed in the terminal body orformed on the case. For example, an antenna which configures a part ofthe broadcast receiving module 111 (see FIG. 1A) may be retractable intothe terminal body. Alternatively, an antenna may be formed in a form offilm to be attached onto an inner surface of the rear cover 300 or acase including a conductive material may serve as an antenna.

A power supply unit 190 (refer to FIG. 1A) for supplying power to theelectronic device 100 may be disposed on the terminal body. The powersupply unit 190 may include a batter 191 which is mounted in theterminal body or detachably coupled to an outside of the terminal body.

The battery 191 may receive power via a power source cable connected tothe interface unit 160. Also, the battery 191 may be (re)chargeable in awireless manner using a wireless charger. The wireless charging may beimplemented by magnetic induction or electromagnetic resonance.

On the other hand, the drawing illustrates that the rear cover 103 iscoupled to the rear case 102 for shielding the battery 191, so as toprevent separation of the battery 191 and protect the battery 191 froman external impact or foreign materials. When the battery 191 isdetachable from the terminal body, the rear case 300 may be detachablycoupled to the rear case 102.

An accessory for protecting an appearance or assisting or extending thefunctions of the electronic device 100 can also be provided on theelectronic device 100. As one example of an accessory, a cover or pouchfor covering or accommodating at least one surface of the electronicdevice 100 may be provided. The cover or pouch may cooperate with thedisplay unit 151 to extend the function of the electronic device 100.Another example of the accessory may be a touch pen for assisting orextending a touch input onto a touch screen.

Hereinafter, in the present specification, a mobile terminal will bedescribed as an example of the electronic device 100 described above forthe sake of convenience of explanation.

FIG. 2 illustrates the shape of a circuit board mounted with an antennawithin the electronic device 100. Here, the antenna radiator 200 may beunderstood as the same concept as the wireless communication unit 110described above.

The circuit board 210 mounted with the patch antenna 220 fortransmitting and receiving a signal for wireless communication islocated inside the body of the electronic device. The antenna 210 isconfigured to transmit and receive signals to and from the outside usinga selected operating frequency.

The patch antenna 220 is provided within the circuit board 210. Asillustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the circuit board 210 is formed byalternately laminating a conductive layer made of a conductive materialand a dielectric layer made of an insulating material. The circuit board210 has a structure in which the conductive layer and the dielectriclayer are alternately stacked.

The material of a conductive material constituting the conductive layermay be composed of any one selected from a group consisting of Ni, Cu,Ag, and the like, and for example, the conductive layer may be formed ofa copper thin plate, thereby forming an electron transfer pathway.

The dielectric layer may be composed of a material having a constantdielectric constant, and each dielectric layer may be made of the samedielectric material. The dielectric layer may be formed using a materialhaving a perovskite structure such as BaTiO3, which is a ferroelectricmaterial, and it may also be possible to use a material having acharacteristic of changing resistance according to temperature.

Here, it may also be possible to use Isora-300MD as a dielectricmaterial for each dielectric layer formed on the circuit board 210 inthe same manner.

A core layer 211 is located at the inner center of the circuit board210. The core layer 211 may be composed of a selected one of thedielectric layers. The core layer 211 may be made of an insulatingmaterial, for example, FR4, which is one of glass epoxy materials.

A ground layer 213 is formed under the circuit board 210 to serve as agrounding portion of the circuit board 210.

The patch antenna 220 may be provided in the circuit board 210 used inthe electronic device according to the present disclosure. Specifically,the patch antenna 220 may be coupled onto the circuit board 210. Thepatch antenna 220 may include a plurality of patches 221, 222. Forexample, one patch portion may be located on the circuit board 210 andthe other patch portion may be located inside the circuit board 210.Each of the patch portions may be located at a position where theyoverlap with each other.

In addition, EBG structures 231, 232 formed in a shape symmetrical withrespect to the core layer 211 may be located inside the circuit board210.

The electro-magnetic band gap (EBG) structure is also referred to as anAMC (Artificial Magnetic Conductor) and structurally constitutes aninductance (L) and a capacitance (C) to serve as a filter, therebyrestricting electromagnetic waves radiated through the patch antenna 220from moving in an unwanted direction.

Inside the circuit board 210, the EBG structures 231, 232 having thesecharacteristics may be located. The EBG structures 231, 232 may includea first EBG structure 231 disposed adjacent to the patch antenna 220 anda second EBG structure 232 disposed at a circumferential portion of thecircuit board 210. The EBG structures 231, 232 serve to restrictfrequency signals radiated from the patch antenna 220 from beinginterfered with each other. The detailed description of such an EBGstructure will be described later.

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view in which the circuit board 210 of FIG.2 is taken along line A-A′, and FIG. 3B is an enlarged view illustratinga shape in which the first EBG structure 231 and the second EBGstructure 232 are located inside the circuit board.

The circuit board 210 provided within the electronic device isconfigured with a structure in which a plurality of layers arelaminated, and has a structure in which a conductive layer and adielectric layer are repeatedly laminated.

A number of laminated layers of the circuit board 210 may be referred tobased on conductive layers laminated on the circuit board 210. Forexample, as illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the circuit board 210 has atotal of 12 conductive layers, and a dielectric layer may be disposedbetween each conductive layer. The conductive layer is formed of aconductive material.

In this specification, for the sake of convenience of explanation, theconductive layer located at the uppermost position is referred to as afirst layer and the conductive layer located at the lowermost positionis referred to as a twelfth layer. However, this is only an example, andthe number of conductive layers and dielectric layers constituting thecircuit board 210 may be configured in various ways.

A patch antenna 220 may be located at the center of the circuit board210. The patch antenna 220 may be configured to transmit and receive atleast one frequency band such as an LTE/WCDMA Rx Only antenna, a GPSantenna, and a BT/WiFi antenna. In addition, there may be a plurality ofpatch antennas 220 and located at a plurality of locations on thecircuit board 210. Each of the patch antennas 220 may be configured totransmit and receive radio signals with different frequency bands.

The patch antenna 220 may be disposed on the circuit board 210 andelectrically connected to the circuit board 210 to process radio signalstransmitted and received by the patch antenna 220.

The patch antenna 220 includes a first patch portion 221 positioned onthe circuit board 210 and a second patch portion 222 positioned insidethe circuit board 210. The first patch portion 221 and the second patchportion 222 may be located on arbitrarily selected layers of the circuitboard, and for example, the first patch portion 221 may also be disposedon the first layer, and the second patch portion 222 on the seventhlayer.

A feeding member 215 may be located below the second patch portion 222constituting the patch antenna 220. The feeding member 215 is connectedto an electronic device to perform the role of transmitting a signalgenerated from the circuit device. The feeding member 215 is formed in athin plate shape and configured to extend in one direction. The feedingmember 215 may be configured with a conductor.

Inside the circuit board 210, the EBG structures 231, 232 are located.The EBG structures 231, 232 serve to restrict frequency signals radiatedfrom the patch antenna 220 from being interfered with each other.

The EBG structures 231, 232 may include a first EBG structure 231disposed adjacent to the patch antenna 220 and a second EBG structure232 disposed at a circumferential portion of the circuit board 210.

Here, since the first EBG structure 231 is formed in a mushroom shape,it is referred to as a mushroom-EBG, and the second EBG structure 232 isalso referred to as a UC-EBG.

The first EBG structure 231 may be located along an outer circumferenceof the patch antenna 220 and disposed adjacent to the patch antenna 220.

The first EBG structure 231 is located inside the circuit board 210. Thefirst EBG structure 231 may include a first conductive plate 231 adisposed below the core layer 211 and a via 231 b extending in avertical direction and connecting the first conductive plate 231 a tothe ground layer 213.

The first conductive plate 231 a may be configured in a thin plate shapeformed of a conductive material. A plurality of first conductive plates231 a may be disposed in such a manner that different first conductiveplates 231 a are located to be symmetrical to each other with respect tothe core layer 211. Furthermore, the first conductive plates 231 a maybe located at the same distance from the ground layer 213 with respectto the core layer 211 in a vertical direction.

When a plurality of first conductive plates 231 a made of a conductivematerial are located to be symmetrical to each other with respect to thecore layer 211 inside the circuit board 210, even though a physicalshock or high temperature is applied to the circuit board 210, thestress may be uniformly distributed on the circuit board 210, therebyhaving an advantage in securing rigidity.

When the patch antenna 220 is placed on the circuit board 210 composedof a plurality of layers, a vacant area free of a conductor is requiredin a region where the patch antenna 220 is located. When a high pressureor temperature is applied to a region where such a conductor is notpresent, wrinkle may occur, thereby deteriorating the quality of thecircuit board.

As a result, when the EBG structures are located on upper and lowersides around the core layer 211, a conductor may be filled in thecorresponding region, thereby preventing the circuit board from beingwrinkled.

As illustrated in FIG. 3B, the first conductive plates 231 a are formedat upper and lower portions with respect to the core layer 211,respectively, on the first EBG structure 231 located on the left side ofthe patch antenna 220 The first conductive plate 231 a of the first EBGstructure 231 located adjacent to the patch antenna 220 performs therole of preventing a signal radiated from the patch antenna 220 frombeing transmitted to another adjacent patch antenna 220.

FIG. 4A is a view illustrating a shape in which the first EBG structure231 is disposed between patch antennas 220, and FIG. 4B is a conceptualview illustrating an internal structure of the first EBG structure 231.

The first EBG structure 231 may be located between different patchantennas 220 disposed on the circuit board 210, and may perform the roleof preventing the interference of operating frequency signals radiatedbetween the different patch antennas 220.

The first conductive plate 231 a of the first EBG structure 231 servesas an inductance (L), and a via 231 b connected to the first conductiveplate 231 a and extended in a vertical direction to connect with theground layer 213 serves as a capacitance (C), and thus it may bepossible to restrict a signal at a driving frequency radiated from thepatch antenna 220 from being radiated to another adjacent patch antenna220. In other words, the first conductive plate 231 a and the via 231 bof the first EBG structure 231 may serve as an LC filter that restrictsa frequency signal of the patch antenna 220 from being transmitted.

The first EBG structure 231 has a structure including a first conductiveplate 231 a located at the top and a via 231 b for connecting the firstconductive plate 231 a to the ground layer 213.

For the first EBG structure 231, it is required to operate as a pair oftwo first EBG structures 231 adjacent to the patch antenna 220, andtherefore, as illustrated in FIG. 6, a pair of two first EBG structures231 are arranged on the front, rear, left and right sides of the patchantenna 220.

Accordingly, a capacitance is generated between the first conductiveplates 231 a located at the top, and an inductance is generated by acurrent flowing downward along the via 231 b from the first conductiveplate 231 a located at the top and then flowing upward again to theconductive plate 231 a located at the top to generate an LC resonance.When the values of the inductance (L) and the capacitance (C) areadjusted, it may be possible to block the propagation of a desiredfrequency.

The second EBG structure 232 may include a second conductive plate 232 aformed of a conductive plate. The second conductive plate 232 a may beformed of a plurality of conductive plates and located inside thecircuit board 210 in a shape symmetrical to the upper and lower portionswith respect to the core layer 211. The second EBG structure 232 may belocated such that different second conductive plates 232 a aresymmetrical with respect to the core layer 211 at the upper and lowerends thereof. For example, the second conductive plate 232 a may belocated at the same distance as the ground layer 213 with respect to thecore layer 211. When the second conductive plate 232 a is positionedsymmetrically with respect to the core layer 211, a copper foil residualrate in the relevant layer is increased, it will perform the role ofpreventing deformation even if physical force or high temperature isapplied to the circuit board 210.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the circuit board 210 may beconfigured to have a plurality of conductive layers including aconductive material. In FIGS. 3A and 3B, the conductive layer indicatesa portion with a dark hatched area.

Since the EBG structure is located inside the circuit board 210, thecopper foil residual rate of the conductive layer on which the firstconductive plate 231 a or the second conductive plate 232 a of the EBGstructure is located may be increased, thereby sufficiently ensuring therigidity of the circuit board 210.

FIG. 3B is a conceptual view illustrating a shape in which the EBGstructure is located on the circuit board 210.

As described above, the first EBG structures 231 may be locatedsymmetrically with respect to the core layer 211, and a method oflocating the first EBG structure 231 inside the circuit board 210 may becarried out in various modified ways.

As illustrated in FIG. 3B, for example, the first EBG structure 231 hasa structure in which a dielectric layer and a conductive layer arealternately laminated on the core layer 211 to form a total of 12conductive layers. It is assumed that the ground layer 213 is located inthe tenth layer.

For example, when two conductive layers are arbitrarily selected tolocate the EBG structure, the second EBG structure 232 may be located inthe third layer so as to correspond to the ground layer 213 made of aconductor. When four conductive layers are arbitrarily selected tolocated the EBG structures, a first layer, a third layer, a tenth layer,and a twelfth layer may be selected to locate the first EBG structure231 or the second EBG structure 232. Furthermore, it may also bepossible to select a second layer, a third layer, a tenth layer and aneleventh layer to locate the second EBG structure 231 or the second EBGstructure 232. As described above, various conductive layers may beselected to arrange the EBG structures. However, the first EBG structure231 and the second EBG structure 232 should be respectively arranged ina symmetric manner with respect to the core layer 211. Through this, itmay be possible not only to ensure the rigidity of the circuit board 210but also to restrict signals between a plurality of installed patchantennas 220 from being interfered with each other.

FIG. 5A illustrates a deformable shape of the patch antenna 220 disposedon the circuit board 210, and FIG. 5B is a view illustrating anarrangement relationship between the patch antenna 220 and the feedingmember 215.

The patch antenna 220 located on the circuit board 210 may be carriedout in various modified manners as illustrated in FIGS. 5A(a), 5A(b),and 5A(c).

The patch antenna 220 may be configured with one patch portion 221 andlocated on the circuit board 210 as illustrated in FIG. 5A(a), or aplurality of patches 221′, 222′, 221″, 222″, 223″ may be verticallyarranged at an overlapping position as illustrated in FIGS. 5A(b) and5A(c).

For example, the first patch portion 221 and the second patch portion222, which are different from each other, may be vertically disposed ondifferent conductive layers formed on the circuit board 210.

Furthermore, the patch portions of each patch antenna 220 may begenerally formed with rectangular plate shapes 221, 221′, 222′, 221″,222″, 223″, or may also be formed with a circular plate shapes.

As illustrated in FIG. 5B, the feeding member 215 may be located belowthe patch antenna 220 configured with the first patch portion 221 andthe second patch portion 222. The feeding member 215 is located on aconductive layer inside the circuit board 210 and may be formed in aplate shape extended in one direction.

The feeding member 215 may be formed of a conductive material, andconnected to a port extended from an electronic device to perform therole of transmitting power or allowing impedance matching. The feedingmember 215 may be directly contacted and connected to one surface ofeither one of the first patch portion 221 and the second patch portion222 of the patch antenna 220. However, since it is possible to transmitthe power using an indirect power feeding method, it may also bepossible to be located without being in direct contact with the patchantenna 220.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view in which an circuit board 210 according tothe present disclosure is seen from the outside, and FIG. 7 is aconceptual view in which the circuit board 210 is projected from above.

As described above, a plurality of patch antennas 220 may be disposed onthe circuit board 210. A distance (d3) between the centers of therespective patch antennas 220 is preferably disposed to have a distanceequal to or greater than a half of a wavelength of a signal radiatedfrom the patch antenna 220 to restrict an interference between differentpatch antennas 220 between patch antennas 220 disposed adjacent to eachother.

The first EBG structure 231 may be disposed around the patch antenna220. The patch antenna 220 may be configured to overlap a plurality ofpatch portions. A different first EBG structure 231 is disposed at eachcorner of the patch antenna 220 having a rectangular shape.

The first EBG structure 231 may be spaced apart from the patch antenna220 by a predetermined distance with the patch antenna 220 interposedtherebetween. The first EBG structure 231 may be disposed in such amanner that a distance between the center of the patch antenna 220 andthe center of the first EBG structure 231 is a value of a quarter of awavelength of a signal radiated from the patch antenna 220.

Here, in order to prevent the radiation performance of the patch antenna220 from deteriorating, it is preferable to have a distance (d1) equalto or greater than 1/16 of a wavelength of a signal radiated from thepatch antenna 220 between the first EBG structure 231 and the patchantenna 220.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the second EBG structure 232 maybe disposed to be spaced apart from the first EBG structure 231 in adirection away from the patch antenna 220. The second EBG structure 232may include a second conductive plate 232 a formed with a conductiveplate. The second conductive plate 232 a may be formed with a pluralityof conductive plates, and located at a circumference of the circuitboard 210.

A distance (d2) between the second EBG structure 232 and the first EBGstructure 231 may be disposed to have a distance equal to or greaterthan 1/16 of a wavelength value of a signal radiated from the patchantenna 220.

If it has a distance less than a wavelength value of a signal radiatedfrom the patch antenna 220 between the second EBG structure 232 and thefirst EBG structure 231, it may cause an effect in which a capacitanceis disposed between the first EBG structure 232 and the second EBGstructure 232, thereby causing the performance deterioration of the EBGstructure.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the second EBG structure 232 maybe formed to have a width (d4, in a vertical direction on the drawing)equal to or greater than a wavelength value of a signal radiated fromthe patch antenna 220. When a minimum width of the second EBG structure232 is equal to or greater than ¼ of a wavelength value of a signalradiated from the patch antenna 220, a phase difference between areflected surface wave and an incident surface wave may be 180 degreesto cancel each other.

FIG. 7 illustrates a shape in which the second EBG structure 232 isformed on the upper and lower circumferential portions of the circuitboard 210, but the second EBG structure 232 may also be additionallyformed on the left and right circumferential portions. However, asdescribed above, a minimum width of the second EBG structure 232 shouldbe disposed to be equal to or greater than ¼ of a wavelength value of asignal radiated from the patch antenna 220 for the performance of thesecond EBG structure 232.

FIG. 8A is a graph illustrating the radiation performance of the patchantenna 220 by angles when the circuit board 210 according to thepresent invention is included, and FIG. 8B is a graph illustrating again value of the patch antenna 220 according to a frequency when thecircuit board 210 according to the present invention is included.

As described above, the circuit board 210 according to the presentdisclosure includes a first EBG structure 231 and a second EBG structure232 adjacent to the patch antenna 220 located on the circuit board 210.

As illustrated in FIG. 8A, even when the first and second EBG structuresare disposed around the patch antenna 220, it is confirmed that a normalradiation pattern is formed at each angle without radiation patterndistortion or performance deterioration in a direction in which thepatch antenna 220 is viewed even at operating frequencies of 26.5 GHz,28 GHz, and 29.5 GHz.

In addition, referring to the graph of FIG. 8B, it is confirmed that again of the patch antenna 220 is 6.5 dBi or more at 26.5 GHz to 29.5GHz, which are the operating frequencies of the patch antenna 220.

Specifically, the gain of the antenna is 6.5 dBi when the operatingfrequency of the antenna is 26.5 GHz, 6.9 dBi at 28 GHz, and 7 dBi at29.5 GHz.

Here, dBi (decibels relative to an isotropic antenna) denotes anisotropic antenna reference decibel, which is a value expressed indecibels with respect to an isotropic antenna as an antenna gain. Itdenotes a relative unit in which a power density in a specific directionof an antenna at a predetermined distance is expressed in logarithm withrespect to a power density of an isotropic antenna at the same distance.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are graphs and resultant values illustrating a degree ofisolation between the patch antennas 220 with respect to a horizontaldirection when a plurality of patch antennas 220 are disposed on thecircuit board 210 in case where the EBG structure is included within thecircuit board 210 according to the present disclosure and in case wherenot included therewithin.

As illustrated in FIGS. 9A and 9B, it can be seen that a cut-offfrequency interfered between adjacent patch antennas 220 in case wherethe first EBG structure 231 and the second EBG structure 232 areincluded in the circuit board 210 is larger than that in case where notincluded in the circuit board, between 26.5 GHz and 29.5 GHz, which arethe operating frequencies of the patch antenna 220. This cutoff value isalso referred to as a degree of isolation, and the larger an absolutevalue of the cutoff value, the more interference between adjacent patchantennas 220 does not occur.

When the first EBG structure 231 and the second EBG structure 232 areincluded in the circuit board 210, a value of isolation degree obtainedat 26.5 Ghz is 18.2 dB, and a value of isolation degree obtained at 29.5GHz is 21.1 dB. A value of isolation degree in case where the first EBGstructure 231 and the second EBG structure 232 are included in thecircuit board 210 is larger than that in the case where not included thecircuit board 210.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are graphs and resultant values illustrating a degreeof isolation between the patch antennas 220 with respect to alongitudinal direction when a plurality of patch antennas 220 aredisposed on the circuit board 210 in case where the EBG structure isincluded in the circuit board 210 according to the present disclosureand in case where not included therein.

It can be seen that a cut-off frequency interfered between adjacentpatch antennas 220 in case where the first EBG structure 231 and thesecond EBG structure 232 are included in the circuit board 210 is largerthan that in case where not included in the circuit board, between 26.5GHz and 29.5 GHz, which are the operating frequencies of the patchantenna 220.

A value of isolation degree obtained at 26.5 Ghz in case where the firstEBG structure 231 and the second EBG structure 232 are included in thecircuit board 210 is 23 dB, and the value of isolation degree obtainedat 29.5 GHz is 25.1 dB, which is larger than that in case where thefirst EBG structure 231 and the second EBG structure 232 are notincluded in the circuit board 210.

FIG. 11A is a graph illustrating a radiation pattern of the patchantenna 220 when a plurality of patch antennas 220 are arranged in alongitudinal direction when the operating frequency of the patch antenna220 is 28 GHz in case where the EBG structure is included in the circuitboard 210 according to the present disclosure and in case where notincluded therein.

Referring to a dotted box portion in a graph of FIG. 11A, it can be seenthat when the EBG structure is not included in the circuit board 210surface waves are transmitted between different patch antennas 220arranged in a longitudinal direction to increase a value causinginterference between adjacent patch antennas 220.

FIG. 11B is a graph illustrating a radiation pattern of the patchantenna 220 when a plurality of patch antennas 220 are arranged in atransverse direction when the operating frequency of the patch antenna220 is 28 GHz.

Referring to a dotted box portion in a graph of FIG. 11B, it can be seenthat when the EBG structure is not included in the circuit board 210,surface waves are transmitted between different patch antennas 220arranged in a transverse direction to increase a value causinginterference between adjacent patch antennas 220.

The detailed description of the foregoing present disclosure should notbe construed as restrictive in all aspects but considered asillustrative. The scope of the invention should be determined byreasonable interpretation of the appended claims and all changes thatcome within the equivalent scope of the invention are included in thescope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic device, comprising: a circuit boardprovided within a main body of the electronic device and comprisingalternating laminated layers of a conductive layer made of a conductivematerial and a dielectric layer made of an insulating material; aplurality of patch antennas disposed at the circuit board; a core layerdisposed at a central layered portion inside the circuit board andcomprising a dielectric layer; a ground layer disposed below the corelayer; and electro-magnetic band gap (EBG) structures disposed insidethe circuit board and configured to restrict interference betweensignals radiated from the plurality of patch antennas or reducedeformation of the circuit board due to pressure or temperature appliedto the circuit board, wherein the EBG structures are disposed at atleast an upper portion, a lower portion, or both upper and lowerportions of the circuit board with respect to the core layer, andwherein the EBG structures are formed by a number of laminated layers ofthe circuit board.
 2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein theconductive layer is formed with a same number of conductive layers atthe upper portion and the lower portion with respect to the core layer.3. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the EBG structures comprisea first EBG structure and a second EBG structure.
 4. The electronicdevice of claim 3, wherein the second EBG structure is spaced apart fromthe first EBG structure.
 5. The electronic device of claim 3, whereinthe first EBG structure and the second EBG structure are located insidethe circuit board.
 6. The electronic device of claim 3, wherein thefirst EBG structure and the second EBG structure are formed of aconductive material.
 7. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein eachof the plurality of patch antennas comprises a plate-shaped first patchportion and a plate-shaped second patch portion arranged to beoverlapped with each other and vertically separated by a predetermineddistance inside the circuit board.
 8. The electronic device of claim 7,further comprising a feeding member electrically connected to the firstpatch portion or the second patch portion.